Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-06-17
MR.. and MRS. BOWSER.

When Mr.. BOwser suggested the
idea OF buying horse | opposed 1t,
not because it seemed useless
piece of extravaganza, but because
[ feared that he would be made the
victim of sharpers. l didn't put 1t
in that way, of course. l simply
remarked:
"Why, dear, we are so handy TO
| the street cars, you know, and
| neither of us cares much about rid
ing out"
"Yes, but horses are bound to 60
up, and Pm offered fine beast at
great sacrifice"
"yye got a COW at a great sacri-
flee once"
"Oh, we did, ehi | thought
yoa'd be flinging that up presently
Whose iault was 1t that we bad to
sell the GOVT"
"Well, but wouldn't buy a horse
Just nOw.S
"Maybe you wouldn't. You are
not buying horse, as understand
lit. When | don't know enough to
run NV busines I'll turn it over to
woman"
Ms he was evidently nettled with
Ime, dropped the subject at once,
but l knew from the way he bounc-
ed the cuspldor across the room
that he had his mind set on horse.
And it was scarcely s o'clock next
morning before five or ak strange
men were trotting horses up and
down the alley to show off their
points. ! took seat at q side
window to watch them, but Mr.
Bowser soon entered the house and
called out ..
"Mrs. Bowser, II you knew how
prominent your red hair was
through that window you'd take
some other seat y
changed to another room, from
which l could see through the clos
ed blinds, and presently all the men
and horses went away but one.
The man had a red nose and a
squint eye, and the horse was a
raw. .boned, lumbering.gaited ami
NAL Of uncertain age and color. |
wouldn't have bought such horse
for pillow, but Mr.. Bowser seem
ed to be hard hit.
"Sure he's a Dresdnaught, are
your he queried as he lifted up
the animals big feet as If he ex-
pected to find a trade mark on the
hoOt.
"LoOk here, Bowser, old man, said
squlnt.eye as he cOmbed out the
horses name withIhis fingers, "thls
is to be a square deal. Any man
as knows you knows that you are
'up' on horsefesh. Might just as
we'll try to deceive born jocky as
you. He's a Dreadnaught or L
don't want a cent"
ga little old" said Mr.. BOwser,
as he looked into the horses
mouth.
"Well, how old 7"
"Past eight"
81 won't deny 1t, Bowser-nO, |
won't. What would be the use ?
That boss is in his ninth year, but
that's in his favor. He's settled.
He knows what's what. No pranc.
ing around to scare your wife when
he sees bit Of paper. All! Bow
ser, but you've bought horses be-
fore to-day-hundreds of'em "
"Feet a little of, l see 7"
"Just a little dry, and that's the
fault of the stable-boy. Two or
three pOultices will bring 'em out
all o. K"
Isn't exactly my color,' said
Mr.. Bowser, as he stood off and
squinted both eyes.
"See here, BOwser, don't take me
for cucumber y replied red nose.
Don't l know that that is a boss
colOr-dirt and dus tprOOf-best in
the world to stand the sun 7 And
don't you know it., and won't you
pay $2J extra on account of itf"
Mr.. Bowser looked pleased, and
after whistling softly 10 himself for
minute he saisl:
swell, Peters, what's the low
est N
''Gwo hundred, Bowser, and not
a cent less to any human being
"Make it $780,"
The squinteyed man put on an
injured LOOK and turned his gaze
into a vacant lot.
"well, say $175."
"Mr. BOwser,P he replied, as he
slowly turned about, "don't l
know and you know that Pm sac
rifcing that hOssi Isn't he worth
$3.50 of any mans money just as he
standsi And you want to split
hairs with man who is square
with youl'
"Oh well, lead him into the barn
and Pll count out the money"
And thst't the way the horse
changed hands. Mr.. Bowser had
| --~-~. A.xI t.s... 80, 80 Abo okolI